Memorable moments from the UH-Rice Bayou Bucket rivalry

Updated 12:16 am, Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Photo: Smiley N. Pool

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Rice Owls players celebrate with the Bayou Bucket trophy after defeating the Houston Cougars in an NCAA football game at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Houston. Rice won the game against their cross town rivals by a score of 34-31. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Rice Owls players celebrate with the Bayou Bucket trophy after defeating the Houston Cougars in an NCAA football game at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Houston. Rice won the game against their

Rice #12-James Casey makes a catch of a Chase Clement pass in the first quarter action as Rice hosts the University of Houston for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium. The winner will claim the West Division of C-USA and face East Carolina on Dec. 6 in the C-USA title game. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, in Houston. ( Steve Ueckert / Chronicle )

Rice #12-James Casey makes a catch of a Chase Clement pass in the first quarter action as Rice hosts the University of Houston for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium. The winner will claim

Rice Owls players, including defensive tackle John Gioffre (55), bottom, celebrate with the Bayou Bucket trophy after defeating the Houston Cougars in an NCAA football game at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2010, in Houston. Rice won the game against their cross town rivals by a score of 34-31. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle )

Rice Owls players, including defensive tackle John Gioffre (55), bottom, celebrate with the Bayou Bucket trophy after defeating the Houston Cougars in an NCAA football game at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct.

University of Houston starting quarterback #7-Case Keenum warms-up pregame as Rice hosts UH for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium. The winner will claim the West Division of C-USA and face East Carolina on Dec. 6 in the C-USA title game. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, in Houston. ( Steve Ueckert / Chronicle )

University of Houston starting quarterback #7-Case Keenum warms-up pregame as Rice hosts UH for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium. The winner will claim the West Division of C-USA and face

UH assistant Jason Phillips, not pictured, has helped the Cougars regain respect and the Bayou Bucket.

UH assistant Jason Phillips, not pictured, has helped the Cougars regain respect and the Bayou Bucket.

Photo: Chronicle File Photo

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UH's Tim Mercer, center, and C.J. Cavness, right, have fun with a fan and the Bayou Bucket trophy following the Cougars' win over rival Rice on Nov. 28.

UH's Tim Mercer, center, and C.J. Cavness, right, have fun with a fan and the Bayou Bucket trophy following the Cougars' win over rival Rice on Nov. 28.

Photo: Karen Warren, Chronicle

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Rice players race past the Owls mascot prior to facing rival University of Houston in the annual Bayou Bucket game.

Rice players race past the Owls mascot prior to facing rival University of Houston in the annual Bayou Bucket game.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

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Rice coach David Bailiff says he's bringing a confident bunch to Robertson Stadium for Saturday's Bayou Bucket game against Houston

Rice coach David Bailiff says he's bringing a confident bunch to Robertson Stadium for Saturday's Bayou Bucket game against Houston

Photo: Nick De La Torre, Chronicle

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Taylor Wardlow and the Owls helped their bowl case by winning the Bayou Bucket from UH.

Taylor Wardlow and the Owls helped their bowl case by winning the Bayou Bucket from UH.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Chronicle

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Jarett Dillard and coach David Bailiff hoist the Bayou Bucket after a 56-42 win over visiting Houston on Nov. 30, 2008.

Jarett Dillard and coach David Bailiff hoist the Bayou Bucket after a 56-42 win over visiting Houston on Nov. 30, 2008.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Chronicle

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Jarett Dillard makes a catch in the 2008 Bayou Bucket battle.

Jarett Dillard makes a catch in the 2008 Bayou Bucket battle.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Houston Chronicle

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After the Bayou Bucket, Rice head coach and Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin have their teams focusing on upcoming bowl games.

After the Bayou Bucket, Rice head coach and Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin have their teams focusing on upcoming bowl games.

Photo: Steve Campbell, Houston Chronicle

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Jarett Dillard and the Owls built a big lead on the Cougars and held on to take the Bayou Bucket.

Jarett Dillard and the Owls built a big lead on the Cougars and held on to take the Bayou Bucket.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Chronicle

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Rice 56, Houston 42 UH running back Bryce Beall is tackled by Rice defender Andrew Sendejo and linebacker Brian Raines in the first quarter action of the 35th Bayou Bucket.

Rice 56, Houston 42
UH running back Bryce Beall is tackled by Rice defender Andrew Sendejo and linebacker Brian Raines in the first quarter action of the 35th Bayou Bucket.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Chronicle

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Rice 56, Houston 42 UH's Bryce Beall is gang tackled short of the goal line in first quarter action as Rice hosts the University of Houston for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket.

Rice 56, Houston 42
UH's Bryce Beall is gang tackled short of the goal line in first quarter action as Rice hosts the University of Houston for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Chronicle

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Rice 56, Houston 42 The UH band warms-up pregame as Rice hosts the University of Houston for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium.

Rice 56, Houston 42
The UH band warms-up pregame as Rice hosts the University of Houston for the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium.

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Chronicle

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Rice WR #81- Jarett Dillard and Head Coach David Bailiff eye the Bayou Bucket as Rice defeats the University of Houston, 56 - 42, in the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium. Rice claims the West Division of C-USA and will face East Carolina on Dec. 6 in the C-USA title game. Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008, in Houston.

Rice WR #81- Jarett Dillard and Head Coach David Bailiff eye the Bayou Bucket as Rice defeats the University of Houston, 56 - 42, in the 35th annual Bayou Bucket Saturday at Rice Stadium. Rice claims the West

Houston's Donnie Avery avoids a tackle attempt on his way to score a 76-yard touchdown reception in the first half. The Houston Cougars would win the Bayou Bucket after defeating the Rice Owls 56-48 at Robertson Stadium.

Houston's Donnie Avery avoids a tackle attempt on his way to score a 76-yard touchdown reception in the first half. The Houston Cougars would win the Bayou Bucket after defeating the Rice Owls 56-48 at

The Houston Cougars celebrate with the Bayou Bucket after defeating Rice University 30-31 during their match up Saturday September 2, 2006 at Rice Stadium.

The Houston Cougars celebrate with the Bayou Bucket after defeating Rice University 30-31 during their match up Saturday September 2, 2006 at Rice Stadium.

Photo: Billy Smith II, HOUSTON CHRONICLE

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Nov. 26: The Cougars raise the Bayou Bucket trophy after defeating cross-town rival Rice 35-18 at Robertson Stadium. In addition to reclaiming the trophy with the victory, the Cougars also became bowl eligible. Record: 6-5 (4-4 C-USA)

Nov. 26: The Cougars raise the Bayou Bucket trophy after defeating cross-town rival Rice 35-18 at Robertson Stadium. In addition to reclaiming the trophy with the victory, the Cougars also became bowl eligible.

Rice Owl Jeremy Calahan (90) kisses the Bayou Bucket after their victory over the University of Houston, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, in Houston. The Cougars later lost the game, 10-7, and the Bayou Bucket to the Owls. The Cougars rushed for eight yards and passed for 208 yards. The Owls rushed for 158 yards and passed for 28. (Christobal Perez/Houston Chronicle) HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/06/2004): A year after suffering a 34-point loss to crosstown rival Houston, Rice's Owls snuggled up to the Bayou Bucket after a 10-7 win Sunday.

Rice Owl Jeremy Calahan (90) kisses the Bayou Bucket after their victory over the University of Houston, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, in Houston. The Cougars later lost the game, 10-7, and the Bayou Bucket to the

University of Houston Cougars head coach Art Briles shakes hands with Rice Owl head coach Ken Hatfield at the end of the game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Cougars lost the game, 10-7, and the Bayou Bucket to the Owls. The Cougars rushed for eight yards and passed for 208 yards. The Owls rushed for 158 yards and passed for 28. (Christobal Perez/Houston Chronicle) HOUCHRON CAPTION (11/09/2004) SECSPTS COLOR: BRILES HOUCHRON CAPTION (11/26/2004) SECSPTS: BRILES. HOUCHRON CAPTION (11/14/2004) SECSPECIAL: BRILES. SPECIAL SECTION: GAME DAY. HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/01/2005) SECSPECIAL: SEE YOU IN C-USA: Houston coach Art Briles, left, and Rice coach Ken Hatfield will get to know each other better now that the Owls are joining the Cougars in Conference USA. SPECIAL SECTION: NCAA PREVIEW 2005/AREA

University of Houston Cougars head coach Art Briles shakes hands with Rice Owl head coach Ken Hatfield at the end of the game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Cougars lost the game,

University of Houston Cougars Ashley Subingsubing (55) and Wade Koehl (1) grab Rice Owl quarterback Greg Henderson (5) for a loss in the second half of play, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The Cougars later lost the game, 10-7, and the Bayou Bucket to the Owls. The Cougars rushed for eight yards and passed for 208 yards. The Owls rushed for 158 yards and passed for 28. (Christobal Perez/Houston Chronicle) HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/08/2004): BOTTLED UP: While Houston's defense kept Rice's Greg Henderson under wraps for most of the opener, it will face a tougher challenge at Oklahoma.

University of Houston Cougar Kevin Kolb (4) sits on the bench and reflects in the fourth quarter of play against the Rice Owls, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, in Houston. The Cougars later lost the game, 10-7, and the Bayou Bucket to the Owls. The Cougars rushed for eight yards and passed for 208 yards. (Christobal Perez/Houston Chronicle) HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/06/2004): ROUGH START: UH quarterback Kevin Kolb didn't get the Cougars on the scoreboard until the final seconds Sunday.

University of Houston Cougar Kevin Kolb (4) sits on the bench and reflects in the fourth quarter of play against the Rice Owls, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2004, in Houston. The Cougars later lost the game, 10-7, and the

Brandon Middleton celebrates the University of Houston's 24-10 win over crosstown rival Rice University for the annual "Bayou Bucket" in Houston, Saturday night, August 31, 2002. (Smiley N. Pool/Chronicle) HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/29/2003): Ken Hatfield (NOT PICTURED) knows Rice-UH is a big game and hopes his Owls can celebrate Saturday like the Cougars and Brandon Middleton did last season.

HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/31/2001): UH coach Dana Dimel, left, and Rice coach Ken Hatfield have their eyes on the Bayou Bucket. HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/07/2002)(08/10/2002): Dimel. HOUCHRON CAPTION (08/31/2002): Dimel. HOUCHRON CAPTION (10/22/2002): On the hot seat - There is increasing speculation about the job security of Dana Dimel, who is in his third season at the University of Houston. How Dimel has fared so far at UH and the outlook for the rest of this season. HOUCHRON CAPTION (02/12/2005) SECSPTS: DIMEL

CONTACT FILED: BAYOU BUCKET (TROPHY) University of Houston Head Coach, Dana Dimel and Rice University Head Coach Ken Hatfield at the Annual Bayou Bucket Luncheon with the Bucket trophy on their right. The

A look at some of the memorable Bayou Bucket games between Houston and Rice:

Rice 14, Houston 13

Nov. 29, 1986, at Astrodome

The Owls scored 14 points in the final 5 minutes, 36 seconds to beat the Cougars in coach Bill Yeoman's final game. Down 13-0, the Owls rallied on a blocked punt that set up Quentis Roper's 7-yard touchdown run, and Roper completed an 11-yard scoring pass to Darrell Goolsby with 18 seconds left.

Houston 64, Rice 0

Dec. 2, 1989, at Rice Stadium

With the Cougars on probation and ineligible for the postseason, quarterback Andre Ware put the finishing touches on a record-setting season with the most lopsided win in the Bayou Bucket series. Ware was 36-of-51 for 400 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Ware broke 16 NCAA records, among them 4,699 passing yards. Shortly after the game, Ware narrowly won the Heisman Trophy over Indiana running back Anthony Thompson.

Houston 24, Rice 22

Sept. 29, 1990, at the Astrodome

Roman Anderson kicked a 32-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining as the No. 13 Cougars avoided the upset. Rice led 22-7 in the third quarter until UH quarterback David Klingler threw two touchdown passes to get the Cougars within one point. On the final drive, Klingler completed passes of 17 and 14 yards to setup Anderson's game-winner.

Rice 31, Houston 13

Nov. 26, 1994, at the Astrodome

Backup quarterback Chad Nelson, playing for injured starter Josh LaRocca, rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown as the Ken Hatfield-led Owls earned a share of the Southwest Conference title with Baylor, TCU, Texas Tech and Texas. It was the Owls' first shared or outright championship since 1957.

Houston 18, Rice 17

Dec. 2, 1995, at Rice Stadium

Down 17-3, the Cougars rallied for two fourth-quarter touchdowns - the last a 43-yarder from Chuck Clements to Larkay James with 1:19 to play -in the final game in Southwest Conference history. Even after the Cougars converted the go-ahead two-point conversion, the game was not decided until Rice kicker Mike Ruff's 38-yard field-goal attempt was wide right.

Rice 56, Houston 42

Nov. 29, 2008, at Rice Stadium

The legend of James Casey was born, as the Owls' do-everything sophomore accounted for 182 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns in a shootout win over the Cougars. Casey caught 12 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns, scored on a 1-yard run and had a 3-yard touchdown pass. The win gave the Owls a share of the C-USA West division title. A few weeks later, a Texas Bowl victory capped a 10-win season.